It was the 82nd contest in the series. Alabama came in with a 45-35-1 advantage, but with several starting defensive backs out with injuries. Auburn came with with losses to Clemson and LSU, but were buoyed by their victory over top-ranked Georgia two weeks before, and by an energetic home crowd. Auburn outgained Alabama in 408-377 in total yards and earned 25 first downs to the Tide's 19. Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham went 21-28 as a passer, and also rushed for a touchdown on the way to 51 yards on the ground. Tailback Kerryon Johnson racked up 104 yards on the ground before leaving the game with an injury in the 4th quarter.

Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts had trouble finding open receivers and finished the day with 177 passing yards and 80 rushing yards. Auburn's first touchdown was a trick play. Auburn lined up for a run play on 3rd and goal from the 3 yard line, but Kerryon Johnson stopped and tossed a jump ball to the back of the end zone, which was caught by Nate Craig-Myers. The Tigers recovered an Alabama fumble on the next drive, but fumbled it away in turn after getting back to the 3. Hurts tied the game at 7-7 with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Jerry Jeudy in the 2nd quarter. Auburn's Daniel Carson connected on a 33-yard field goal going into halftime.

In the second half, Alabama took the lead with a 79-yard drive capped by a 21-yard rush by Bo Scarbrough. Auburn scored on another field goal, and then Johnson rush to take a 21-14 lead. Stidham ran in for another score on the following drive, but Alabama turned the ball over on downs twice in the fourth quarter as the Tide failed to reach the end zone.